Windy Shadow
Emerging as a noteworthy manufacturer, Aflion presents its latest: the Windy Shadows linears. These switches provide a neutral sound profile combined with a distinctive bounce from their extended spring. At a 55g bottom-out, they are comfortably medium-light.
$5.50
$3.91
10 switches/order
FREE Shipping on orders over $49.00 and free returns on all orders.
Orders ship from California and arrive within 2-5 days.
Weight
Light
Heavy
Depth
Shallow
Regular
Technical data
| Switch type | Linear |
| Switch brand | Aflion |
| Manufacturer | Aflion |
| Top housing material | Polycarbonate |
| Bottom housing material | Nylon |
| Mount type | PCB (5-pin) |
| Stem construction | Partial box |
| Stem material | POM |
| Spring | 19.7mm double-stage spring |
| Bottom-out weight | 55g |
| Factory lube status | Yes, factory lubed |
| Pre-travel distance | 2.00 mm |
| Total travel distance | 3.50 mm |
The technical data of a switch can be hard to understand. Our goal here is to demystify how these specs affect feel and sound. We hope this helps you discover whether or not a switch might be a good fit.
Bottom-out: 55g
Bottoming out, or pressing all the way down, on this Aflion Windy Shadow switch requires 55g of force. With a lighter bottom-out than 70% of switches in our selection, the Aflion Windy Shadow is considered medium-light.
A switch's bottom-out force is dependent solely on its spring weight.
Factory Lubed
The Aflion Windy Shadow is factory lubed. This is done to reduce friction and improve the feel of the switch. Other effects include reduced noise and if a tactile switch, slightly decreased tactility. Choosing a factory lubed switch saves you time and energy from having to lube the switch yourself. Factories have drastically improved the lubing process over the years, meaning more and more factory-lubed switches are great to use out-of-the-box.
Top Housing: Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is the Aflion Windy Shadow's top housing material. The use of polycarbonate in housings creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. In part, this is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound profile. Aesthetically speaking, if a switch features a clear housing, it is more likely than not to be polycarbonate. Therefore, due to its translucency, polycarbonate is especially useful to have in the top housing of a switch if you plan to use RGB lighting.
Bottom Housing: Nylon
Nylon is the Aflion Windy Shadow's bottom housing material. Nylon is a classic switch housing material. Typing on switches that use nylon elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. In part, this is because nylon is a relatively softer plastic and absorbs more sound than harder plastics, thereby creating a duller and rounder sound.
A note on housings
The Aflion Windy Shadow uses different materials in its top and bottom housings. As such, the qualities each housing material brings to the switch will be split between the bottom and the top of the switch.
When you press down on this switch you will feel the qualities of the bottom housing: the bottom housing has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing will have more of an impact on the sound when you let go of a key.
Mount type: PCB (5-pin)
The Aflion Windy Shadow is a PCB (5-pin) mount switch. PCB-mount, or 5-pin, switches feature 2 extra alignment pins when compared to their 3-pin counterparts. This ensures alignment (i.e. switch won't rotate and will stay in place) if your keyboard does not feature a plate or if you choose not to use one. If your keyboard's PCB does not have holes for these alignment pins, you will need to trim them off before installing them.
Stem construction: Partial box
Switches with a box stem reduce wobble in two ways. One is through an aesthetic enhancement by reducing resting state wobble: this makes it such that gaps between your lines of keycaps are more straight and won't appear jagged.
Second, box stems have a stricter x and y-axis tolerance as you press down.
Switches with box-shaped stems are also technically more dustproof and water-resistant.
(Although neat in theory, at Milktooth, we do not think the latter two features are very consequential.)
Descriptors
Low-pitched switches typically feature a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches.
A mild mechanical keyboard switch offer a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. With these switches, the sound and feel will be approachable to most, as its qualities all stand in a safe, middle-ground zone.
A neutral switch has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile. This makes the switch suitable for most intents and purposes: whether or not you are a beginner or advanced, or if you are planning to use these at home or work.
No sound test available for this switch yet!
Try Aflion Windy Shadow switches before buying them
Pick 10 switches and we'll send them your way to try at home for 5 days.
How it works
First, pick 10 switches you want to try. Then, we'll send you those 10 switches to try at home for 5 days. You'll get to experience the switches and see how they feel. We'll also include a guide to help you pick your favorite switch and a preprinted return shipping label.
What comes in my try at-home box?
The 10 switches you choose will be installed on switch tester bases so you can type on them as you would on a normal keyboard. Your try at-home kit comes with a preprinted return shipping label.
How much does this try-before-you-buy program cost?
At just $15—shipping included—the try at-home program is the most cost-effective way to try switches before buying them. At less than half the cost of switch testers and with more than triple the variety to choose from, you can try before you buy without breaking the bank so you can be sure you're getting the right switch for your needs.
How do I buy the switches I want?
Send back the switches in your box using your prepaid label and purchase your favorite (or favorites)!
Everything that's included
First, try switches at home with shipping included both ways. After purchasing the switches you love most, know your switches come with a 30-day, hassle-free return or exchange policy. If you don't love your switches, we'll take them back—no questions asked.
